Day 20 Update

Sunday 19 April

Among Daniel's steady flow of visitors, Aubrey's brother Ben and his wife Mattie have driven down from Boise with their three active-yet-adorable kids for a visit with T-Bob.

Daniel's cousins enjoy a visit.

(The ribbon in the middle of the pic is from Daniel's floating

"Get Well" balloon)

Josh (left) and Ryan (right) comfortable in Daniel's hospital bed.

Even Brady does his part so Daniel can live at home.

(Note: Brady doesn't live in the cage. He's just kind enough to stay here at times when there are lots of guests.)

Aubrey will write a post later today to update everyone on Daniel's last couple of days, but we wanted to go ahead and publish the pictures from our visit today. As you all know, Daniel is living at home now, in a hospital bed in the family room.

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6:00 pm MST

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And now it has arrived... Aubrey's letter:

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Dear Bill,

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I went to church today for the first time since Daniel's accident. I tried to slip in late so that I wouldn't have to be asked to give an update on Daniel's condition. You know me better than most. I tend to shy away from crowds and retreat into a quiet corner, even though I am only surrounded by people who love our family. I felt numb throughout the meetings, although it was really nice to see everyone again. I finally took time to read through the blog site and was amazed at all the detail I had either forgotten or pushed to the back of my already crowded mind.

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Daniel continues to slowly improve, even though one pain just gets traded for another. I panicked the other night and called on a doctor friend to come evaluate Daniel to see if he needed to be rushed to the hospital, and she quietly and calmly checked Daniel and gave us a little more clarity as to what was happening. Apparently, Daniel's philosophy of "No Pain, No Gain" has taken it's toll on his body. At the time of his discharge he was not told that even the slightest move in the wrong direction could cause his liver to start bleeding again, so he had been trying to move around more and hobble with his crutch. The workout agitated his stint and caused his abdomen to harden, swelling to begin, and jaundice coloration to his skin. After Daniel became aware of this, he took to his bed and has stayed there for the past 3 days. He hates his hospital bed and can't seem to get comfortable in any position, but he is also grateful to be home.

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Alex carefully helped him to his wheelchair and out to the car for an hour at Donner Park. While the short trip wore him out, he loved being outside. He loves the out of doors, as do I. I remember a while back, driving up Parley's Canyon to Park City, just as Spring was fully settling in. I started making sounds that expressed my feelings of being in the middle of the gorgeous surroundings, and Mendy said, "Why are you making those noises? I replied, "Don't you get excited when you smell the fresh pine, feel the breeze, and experience all of this beauty?" She said, "No." So, I guess it's just another one of those creative things that only I and a few other soul mates experience, Daniel being one of them.

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Mom has been such a great help to us and now Grandma Nan will be arriving tomorrow to help with Daniel's care. As I sat in church today, I reflected on a visit I made last week to a young friend that was on the same floor as Daniel. He had just been diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer, that literally dissolves his bones. He has already lost 4" in his height. He is only in his 20's and has been married for about a year. Another close friend has a terminally ill child at home, who has required a 24-7 vigil of care for several years now...nurses in their living space throughout the day, never allowing any privacy or quiet family time with their other children. I think of our dear friend, affectionately called by our boys, "Grandma Dorothy", having had to care for her son Frankie for over 60 years, who as a child had been hit by a car and then later developed some type of virus that blinded him and left him mentally challenged. At 96 she still continues to pay for his medical bills... and yet, another close friend our age, who has been bed-ridden now for over 15 years, whose husband has to come home from work each day at lunch time to give her an injection for pain.

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As trying as this has been, our situation with Daniel pales in comparison to so many others. It just makes me more aware of those who courageously and quietly suffer through their challenges. We all have friends or know of people who endure these circumstances, and now we too find ourselves among them, but somehow ours just doesn't seem to be that bad. We love everyone's emails, blog comments, and letters. I have gained 5 lbs. since the accident, with all of the wonderful food that has been brought to us. We continue to feel everyone's support and LOVE......we are amazed at how many care so deeply for Daniel and our family. He is an amazing boy. I love you very much.

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Aubrey